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Family of ex-deputy 'devastated' by shootings of his wife, her sister

By Ed TrelevenWisconsin State Journal

Posted:
08/27/2014 12:01:00 AM CDT

Updated:
08/28/2014 10:40:02 AM CDT

The family of Andy Steele, the former Dane County sheriff's deputy arrested after he allegedly shot to death his wife and her sister on Friday, said in a statement released Wednesday that they are "devastated" by the events.

"Our family is devastated in the wake of this tragedy," the statement reads. "We feel the profound loss of all the loved ones involved. We ask that the media respect the privacy of the individuals close to these events in this time of grief."

The statement was released through Steele's lawyer, Jessa Nicholson.

Steele, 39, is tentatively charged with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide in the shooting deaths Friday of his wife, Ashlee, 39, and her sister, Kacee Tollefsbol, 38, of Lake Elmo, at the Steele home in Fitchburg.

Steele was hospitalized for unspecified injuries related to a suicide attempt and on Tuesday was booked into jail. He is being held at the Rock County jail in Janesville.

Steele was a sheriff's deputy until he retired in June after learning that he has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a fatal disease that attacks cells that control the muscles and slowly robs the body of its ability to function. His wife had been leading a fundraising effort for money for anticipated medical needs as the disease progressed.

Steele is scheduled to appear in court for the first time Friday, but it is not known whether formal charges will be ready by then.